Transforming Heartache into Joy: 34-Year-Old Triumphs Over Multiple Miscarriages, Finds Renewed Hope and Fertility with 3 Months of Acupuncture

Shawna was 34 years old when she came to see me for help with her goal of having a baby. She had suffered 3 miscarriages in the past 18 months. She was referred to me by her medical doctor to see if acupuncture could help her to hold her next pregnancy. Her greatest concern was the impact that the miscarriages had on her marriage and her 3-year-old daughter.  She explained that, as much as she wanted another child, she was almost afraid to conceive again. When I first met her, I could immediately see how difficult this experience had been for her and her family.  I explained to her that our first objective was to use acupuncture to calm her nervous system and help her to heal from the trauma of the miscarriages. Next, I would use my fertility assessment process to identify the underlying cause of her body’s difficulty holding a baby, according to traditional acupuncture theory. While there was no medical cause for her miscarriages, she clearly fit into a category of vital substance deficiency. She had suffered from extreme fatigue during her first pregnancy and was diagnosed with anemia when she was post-partum. She had returned to work after 6 weeks of maternity leave and her job was very physically demanding.  She had difficulty sleeping and she often felt anxious, which were clues to help me understand her pattern. Shawna’s initial treatment plan lasted for 12 weeks and included acupuncture, a customized herbal formula and specific nutritional recommendations. During this time, she felt calmer and slept better. By the end of the third month, she felt ready to try to conceive again. She got pregnant within a few months and carried her baby to full term, welcoming a baby girl into their family.